I pouted. He had better not interfere.
My chin even trembled and my chest constricted.
I wanted to do this on my own. I needed it.
Godric instantly set his utensils down and cupped my cheeks. His thumb ran over my lower lip, his forehead crinkled in dismay. “I won’t. I promise, pet.”
I heaved a sigh of relief, my eyes lighting with joy. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Godric leaned down and kissed my lips softly, and then he lowered his hands from my face and picked up his utensils again.
My father instantly started laughing.
Both of our heads snapped in his direction.
He shook his head and pointed his fork. “You, Mr. King, are screwed. My daughter already has you wrapped around her little finger.”
Godric lips trembled. “Her little fingers are cute.”
I cleared my throat pointedly to shut them down. “Father, what happened with Brandon? Was he behind the photo, as I suspected?”
“He was.” Father ate another potato.
“What did you do with him?”
My father grinned, calm and happy. “I buried him.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
“Shift for me.” I bounced on the balls of my feet near the shoreline. We were back in New City at our home. My plan had worked as I’d hoped—all was good with my father and Godric now. And I was ready to see a lion. I wiggled my ball cap, adjusting the bill. “Come on. Show me.”
Godric’s brows rose. “Right here?”
“You’re a lion. Is anyone around?”
He cocked his head, listened, and inhaled deeply. His head tipped back into the late afternoon sun, closing his eyes, beautiful in all ways. The man was in his element, wild and fierce as he used his inhuman senses.
“So?” I asked with excitement.
Godric opened his golden eyes and stared into the very heart of me. His lips curved as he scanned my face with entertaining delight. “No one’s around.”
I punched a fist into the air. “Let me see, big man.”
“Fine. But don’t be frightened. It’s still me.”
He kicked off his tennis shoes and removed his t-shirt at the same time. My little claw marks on his shoulders were still there, scabbed over, healing normally. His shorts were taken off last, and he wore no underwear.
He was glorious naked in front of me, the water lapping gently near our feet.
An explosion of white sparkles erupted.
I skittered backward.
That was much more than Cassander’s had been.
I blinked. A lion sat before me.
“Oh my,” I whispered in awe. “You’re big.”
